19.5 - Debates of the US Presidency

Question 1

Who wrote the imperial presidency?

Answer 1

Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

Question 1

What is the imperial presidency?

Answer 1

A presidency that is overly powerful due to a lack of checks and balances.

Question 2

What is an imperilled presidency?

Answer 2

A president who finds it difficult to exercise his constitutional powers in the face of overly effective checks and balances.

Question 3

What is a lame duck president?

Answer 3

Formally, a president holding office after an election that he has not won; informally, a weak president.

Question 4

How can a president become ‘imperial’?

Answer 4

When Congressional checks and ablances are unused or ineffective.

If a president evades congressional checks by exec. orders or agreements.

Question 5

What is the formal definition of a lame duck president?

Answer 5

A president who is not continuing in office in January, but is still holding office.

Question 6

How can a president’s power be inferred?

Answer 6

Their poll ratings.

Question 7

What section of policy does the president have most of his power?

Answer 7

Foreign policy.

Question 8

How can the president attempt to control foreign policy?

Answer 8

• The creation of treaties (Senate-confirmable, although can circumvent by using exec. agreements)
• The reception of ambassadors.
• Appointment of US officials to control foreign policy.
• Role as commander-in-chief
• During emergencies, Congress acts in deference to President.

Question 9

How can the Congress attempt to control foreign policy?

Answer 9

• Using powers to fund or defund military action (2007 Democrats defund Iraq War).
• Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to authorise or deauthorise military action.
• Ratifies treaties and appointments.
• Legislative power to control foreign policy.